unsure whether to start reloading!

[john bh]

Reloading the way to go. I'm new reloader still learning. Just keep it simple, in begining start off slow read what you can get your hands on. Start single stage press I bought a used RCBS for 65.00. There some other stuff to ,you can find it on this forum . The people here are real helpful and patient. I almost enjoy reloading more than I do shooting. It has been a good way for me to relax.

 

[thump_rrr]

Don't start reloading.

I just started shooting last fall.
I purchased a Springfield Armory Loaded 1911 and a Lee Aniversary kit so that I could reload and save a few bucks.
I then needed a Vibratory Tumbler and Media Separator.
I began to shoot more so I went ahead and bought a Hornady LnL AP Progressive press with a Case feeder and I have a bullet feeder on order whenever it becomes available here in Canada.
I then purchased an AR-15. Just a cheap Norinco to see what all the fuss was about (It shoots 1" MOA).
I then bought Hornady dies in .223 for the AR-15 and an RCBS Primer Pocket Swager Combo to remove military crimps from primer pockets.
Since it takes about 20 minutes to switch the press and case feeder from .45 ACP to .223 I'm thinking of buying another press so that I won't need to swap back and forth.
A nice $1700.00 Dillon Super 1050 which can take care of the primer pocket crimps would be ideal for .223.
The $300.00 RT1200 rotary trimmer would also make quick work of trimming the brass.
You can't have a Super 1050 without the $300.00 RF 100 Primer Tube Filler.
While we're at it what's another $900.00 for a Ponsness Warren auto drive so you don't stand there and crank the handle all day long.

I'm thinking about trying out Stainless Tumbling Media with a Thumbler Model B tumbler.

I think you get the picture.

 

[Lost Sheep]

More to it than that.

am i really saving money by learning to reload ammo?

That may not be the point.

Whether or not you save money by reloading depends on how much you shoot, whether or not you have a source of loaded ammo at a good price and if devoting time to reloading costs you more money than you save.

But reloading also has other benefits.

You study your gun(s) more thoroughly. You educate yourself about internal ballistics. You gain a certain amount of independence from your local and mail order retailers, especially their shortages of particular ammo choices.

When I bought my first gun, I also bought a reloading setup (Press, dies, scale, manual, and two loading blocks, but little else) because I knew I could not afford to shoot unless I reloaded. Otherwise, I would have taken up bowling or billiards. Seriously. I was looking for a hobby and those were my top choices.

Ear and eye protection, Dan Wesson .357 Mag, RCBS Jr. RCBS 1010 Scale and Lyman manual. Total investment about $220. (DW was $150, in 1975). Ammo now cost 1/4 of factory ammo (I counted my free time as free).

At 300 rounds a week, you will probably pay for your entire loading setup in savings within a few months unless you have a really cheap source of ammunition.

But your other benefits may well wind up more important to you in the end than the money.

Except that more practice will make you a better shot. But if more practice is the only thing you want, buy a conversion kit so you can shoot 22 rimfire on your .40's frame. Shot for shot, you will save more.

But if you are like most of us, you will do both. Reload and shoot rimfire.

Lost Sheep

 

[REL1203]

When I first got into reloading over 2 years ago, I did it purely to save money. I think i posted a similar thread (along with about 1 per day from other people). If you look at it like this, it will make more sense. Reloading will mean each round of ammo is cheaper, trust me, you will never save money, but you will certainly be getting cheaper (and better) ammo. I got into reloading because I got 2 different 308, and 1 300 Win Mag, precision rifles, and there was no way I could justify over $1.50 per round of each of those, but I love shooting them. I looked how to save money, and came to reloading. My father reloaded, but never tought me (i just got to shoot them, i wish he would have tought me).

I went to a state wide local shooting forum, asked if anyone would spend a couple hours in the evenings a few days a week and teach me how to reload safely. Thankfully, some one offered to teach me. Once a week for a bout 2 months, i went over around 4pm, and had a great coach for 4hours each time. I learned a Coax Single stage to begin with, and on the 3 or 4th day, we moved up to his Dilion 550b prog press. I eventually felt comfortable enough to want to get my own and set up my own bench in my man cave. I ordered a Lee Classic Turret press, and planned on just 308 and 300wm. As soon as I started on my own, i instantly fell in love with reloading. While dont get me wrong, i love shooting, but there is only so much fun one can have punching paper. Reloading gave me purpose for my shooting, to find the ultimate recipe for each of my guns with what i have to work with. I started with 308, worked very hard, many many loads, but ultimately I found a Load my R700 AAC just loves. It will literally punch 5 shots through a 0.3" hole and all for around $0.68/round. Seriously, have the fun to me is reloading and chasing down that ultimate goal recipe.

If you like shooting, and have the time and money for reloading, I say go for it, it really is a great hobby that goes hand in hand with shooting. I now reloading for 9mm, 40SW, 357mag, 45acp, 223, 22-250, 308, 300WM and just purchased my second press, a Lock'n'Load Progressive press to complement my Turret. If I wasnt busy making loads, doing research on recipes, or something else involving reloading, i would probably be spending my time watching TV or playing xbox, but I have so much more fun doing this.

 

[TheCracker]

If you goto the range once a week then I say by all means go for it. The lee classic turret would be a great way to start. Then if you have the money and shoot enough eventually you would b ready for a progressive.

Safety is a concern. As long as you PAY ATTENTION 100% of the time you should be.

Read some loading books, ask questions on forums and goto YouTube to watch A LOT of vids. I would recommend Ammosmith on YouTube. He has some great videos on the basics of reloading and die setup.

 

[popper]

$150 for die and press, $30/# powder, $30 for a book, etc. Your choice of bullets. Lead is OK in a Glock, just have to clean it anyway. Pistol doesn't require much extra stuff. Check the reload cost calculator, put in your costs. Consider the 20% devaluation of the $. Yea, reload - it's as much fun as shooting.